Douglas Smith knows what poverty looks like. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia gave him firsthand experience with people in need. It also fueled his desire to be a man who helps where he can. Now a retired police officer, Douglas and his wife, Kimberly, have strong convictions about how a charity should operate: “I was looking for a Christian-based organization, and everything I learned about Feed the Children made me confident that you provide the majority of the funds you raise to those in need.”

As a cancer survivor who understands what it’s like to rely on others to make it through difficult times, Douglas knows how important it is to come alongside people who really need some help. Through prayer and the support of his wife and church family, Douglas didn’t just want to treat his cancer — he wanted to be healed. And he was. Like the cancer wasn’t even there. That’s what he wants to help us do with poverty.